New Mexico - April’s advocate of the month, David Cowan of New Mexico, provided oral testimony in New Mexico in support of SB 385, a bill that would require equal coverage for orally administered chemotherapy and intravenous and injected chemotherapy. David told his touching story to the members of the House Health & Government Affairs Committee and it was well received. The bill passed unanimously in committee and two days later passed the full House vote. It now sits on Governor Martinez’s desk. She has until April 8th to sign.

To read the firsthand account of David’s experience, please visit our Advocate of the Month page on April 1st.

Illinois – James Anderson of Illinois visited State Representative Senger’s office twice in the past month to ask for her support of HB 1825, a bill that would ensure equal coverage of oral cancer medications and intravenously administered or injected cancer medications. He met with Senger’s aide Nicole who understood the value of the legislation and assured him she would speak to her boss about the issue. He continues to be proactive in his fight to pass this legislation.

Have you visited with your state or federal legislators? Do you have an ongoing relationship with any of your legislators? We want to hear about it! Please email Meghan Buzby at mbuzby@myeloma.org with your story and we will include it in our next Advocacy Update.